Dixie Dansercoer - Polar 'Exhibitionist'
The thin layer of ice which covers the Arctic Ocean is just one or two metres thick. That ice forms the dynamic natural habitat of many animals which are looking for food. For them, this vulnerable layer of ice is of vital importance.
People too have long lived in the cold, salty and wet environment of the Arctic land mass, and they are the first to experience the alarming consequences of the disappearing ice. Whoever has been able to admire the aurora borealis in a reflective environment of ice and snow knows that this unique combination is the soundless folk song of this unique spot on earth.
The immense Antarctic continent is a single large land mass. Mountain ranges pierce through a layer of ice averaging 3,000 metres thick! Animals can only survive on the coasts of this continent, because the vast ice desert in the interior affords them no food at all. Katabatic winds and powerful storms dominate and, due to the extremely dry atmosphere, only very small amounts of snow fall there.
Ice cores drilled by scientists give us a glimpse at thousands of years of the history of our planet. They also teach us that human beings can apply their intelligence for two opposing goals. Either we completely exhaust the natural riches of our earth, or we try to maintain the vitally necessary equilibrium in nature.
Obviously the second choice is the right one!
THE ARCTIC IS AN OCEAN 4000 M DEEP, COVERED ONLY BY A THIN ICE-SHEET OF ABOUT 1 TO 2 METERS THICK, SO IF YOU WANT TO BECOME AN ARCTIC POLAR EXPLORER BE READY TO PADDLE!
ON THE ANTARCTIC CONTINENT YOU CAN TRAVEL EXTREMELY LONG DISTANCES ON A SOLID ICE SHEET THAT IS UP TO 4000 METERS THICK. PACK ENOUGH WARM CLOTHES BECAUSE THE HOWLING WIND MAKES IT TWICE AS COLD!